U.S. patent number 6,455,188 [Application Number 09/644,066] was granted by the patent office on 2002-09-24 for battery lock.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.. Invention is credited to Peter Gorm Christensen, Lars Friis, Rasmus Christ Jansen, Michael McKay, Axel Wagner.
United States Patent |
6,455,188 |
McKay , et al. |
September 24, 2002 |
Battery lock
Abstract
A battery lock for a communication unit with holding means for
holding an internal battery in operating position in a battery
compartment. The holding means includes features to hold, lift and
release the battery in the compartment from the battery
compartment. The battery compartment includes protruding parts
corresponding to slots on the battery, where the protruding parts
co-operates with holding means of the battery to hold the battery
in the battery compartment. The holding means of the battery lock
includes first protruding parts to hold the battery in the battery
compartment, grips to lift and release the battery, holes to hinge
the battery lock in the battery compartment, second protruding
parts to lift the battery actuated by the grips and fastening means
to fasten the battery lock to the battery compartment. The
fastening means on the battery compartment to fasten the battery
lock to the battery compartment include pivots to hinge the battery
on, locking flaps to keep the battery lock on the pivots and
protruding parts that connects to slots on the grips of the battery
lock.
Inventors: |
McKay; Michael (Frederiksberg,
DK), Friis; Lars (Birkeroed, DK), Wagner;
Axel (Copenhagen, DK), Christensen; Peter Gorm
(Copenhagen, DK), Jansen; Rasmus Christ (Hedehusene,
DK) |
Assignee: |
Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
(Espoo, FI)
|
Family
ID: |
24583303 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/644,066 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
429/97; 429/100;
429/96; 455/572 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M
1/0262 (20130101); H01M 50/209 (20210101); Y02E
60/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04M
1/02 (20060101); H01M 2/10 (20060101); H04M
1/00 (20060101); H01M 002/10 (); H04M 001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;429/97,96,100
;455/572 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Ryan; Patrick
Assistant Examiner: Martin; Angela J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Antonelli, Terry, Stout, &
Kraus, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Battery lock for a communication unit having a battery holder
for retaining a battery pack in an internal battery compartment
characterized in that the battery holder comprises: a holding means
for retaining the battery pack in said internal battery
compartment; a release mechanism that releases the holding means
when actuated; and a push mechanism that pushes the battery pack at
least partly out of said internal battery compartment upon
activation of said release mechanism.
2. Battery lock for a communication unit according to claim 1
characterized in that the battery compartment includes protruding
parts corresponding to slots on the battery, and that said
protruding parts co-operate with said holding means of the battery
to hold the battery in the battery compartment.
3. Battery lock for a communication unit according to claim 2
characterised in that the holding means includes first protruding
parts to hold the battery in the battery compartment, grips to lift
and release the battery, holes to hinge the battery lock in the
battery compartment, second protruding parts to lift the battery
actuated by the grips and fastening means to fasten the battery
lock to the battery compartment.
4. Battery lock for a communication unit according to claim 3
characterised in that the lifting means are activated by pressing
the grip outwards, away from each other, thereby levering the
second protruding part, so that the first protruding parts holding
the battery release the battery.
5. Battery lock for a communication unit according to claim 3
characterized in that the second protruding part that lever the
battery, when the grips are pressed outwards, are located on a beam
connecting the first protruding parts.
6. Battery lock for a communication unit according to claim 4
characterised in that the protruding parts for holding the battery
are extending from the grips, and project into the slots on the
battery.
7. Battery lock for a communication unit according to claim 3
characterised in that the fastening means on the battery
compartment to fasten the battery lock to the battery compartment
include pivots to hinge the battery on, locking flaps to keep the
battery lock on the pivots and protruding parts that connect to
slots on the grips of the battery lock.
8. Battery compartment in a communication unit having means for
holding a battery in said battery compartment characterized in that
the battery compartment includes protruding parts corresponding to
slots on the battery, and that said protruding parts co-operate
with holding means of the battery to hold the battery in the
battery compartment.
9. Battery compartment in a communication unit according to claim 8
characterised in that the battery compartment includes fastening
means to fasten the battery lock to the battery compartment and
that these means include pivots to hinge the battery on, locking
flaps to keep the battery lock on the pivots, slots for receiving
grips of the battery holder, protruding parts in these slots that
connect to slots on the grips of the battery lock, and the slot
having cavity side walls and raised parts in one end of the slot
for receiving the grips of the battery holder.
10. A battery for a communication unit having an internal battery
characterized in that the battery have slots to hold the battery in
a battery compartment by a battery lock according to claim 1.
11. A method for holding an internal battery in a communication
unit characterised in that a battery lock is used to hold the
battery, where said battery lock includes holding, lifting and
releasing features.
12. Battery lock for a communication unit according to claim 1,
wherein said holding means retains said battery pack within an
outer cover of said communication unit.
13. Battery lock for a communication unit according to claim 1,
wherein said release mechanism and said push mechanism operate to
release and push said battery pack from an operating position.
14. Battery compartment in a communication unit according to claim
8, wherein said holding means holds said battery in the battery
compartment within an outer cover of said communication unit.
15. Method according to claim 11, wherein said battery lock holds
said battery within an outer cover of said communication unit.
16. A communication unit having a battery holder for retaining a
battery pack in an internal battery wherein the communication unit
comprises: provisions for retaining the battery pack in said
internal battery compartment; a release mechanism that releases the
holding provisions when actuated; and a push mechanism that pushes
the battery pack at least partly out of said internal battery
compartment upon activation of said release mechanism.
17. A communication unit having a battery compartment having
provisions for holding a battery in said battery compartment
characterized in that the battery compartment of the communication
unit includes protruding parts configured to fit slots of a
battery, and that said protruding parts co-operate with holding
means of the battery to hold the battery in the battery
compartment.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a battery lock for holding a battery in
operating position and enabling easy retrieval of the battery from
the operating position.
It is earlier known to have internal batteries in communication
units like in Nokia.TM. mobile phones 3210 and 8850 or Motorola.TM.
mobile phones cd920 and L7089. The Nokia.TM. 3210 has holding means
located mainly on the battery, and includes protruding parts that
project in slots in the battery compartment. One of these
protruding parts can be depressed to release the battery from the
battery compartment.
Both Nokia.TM. 8850, Motorola.TM. cd920 and L7089 have batteries
that are squeezed into the battery compartment and being pressed in
a holding position in the battery compartment by resilient battery
contacts. The battery contacts are depressed establishing a
pressure on the battery then the battery is placed into the battery
compartment. The Motorola.TM. cd920 has two slots in one end of the
battery and another slot in the other end of battery, wherein
protruding parts from the battery compartment projects outwards.
The Motorola.TM. L7089 has two protruding parts in each end of the
battery that projects into slots in the battery compartment. The
Nokia.TM. 8850 has two slots in one end of the battery, wherein
protruding parts from the battery compartment projects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a battery lock for holding
an internal battery in operating position in a battery compartment
of a communication unit.
According to claimed invention this objective is obtained by a
battery lock for a communication unit having holding means
including holding, lifting and releasing features.
Another object of the invention is to provide a communication unit
provided with a battery compartment having mounted a battery lock
having means for holding a battery in operative position.
According to the claimed invention this objective is obtained by a
communication unit provided with a battery compartment, where the
battery compartment includes protruding parts that projects into
slots on the battery, and that said protruding parts co-operates
with holding means of the battery to hold the battery in the
battery compartment.
Yet another objective of the claimed invention is to provide method
for holding or locking a internal battery for a communication unit
into operating position in a reliable way.
According to the claimed invention this objective is obtained by
using a battery lock that includes holding, lifting and releasing
features to hold the battery in operating position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be explained more fully below, by way of
example, in connection with preferred embodiments and with
reference to drawing, in which:
FIG. 1-2 shows in a perspective view a preferred embodiment of the
communication unit according to the invention.
FIG. 3 schematically shows the essential parts of a telephone for
communication with a cellular network.
FIG. 4 shows a communication unit, where one removable cover has
been removed with an internal battery in operative position.
FIG. 5-7 shows a communication unit, where one removable cover has
been removed without an internal battery located in operative
position.
FIG. 8 shows a communication unit, where one removable back cover
has been removed.
FIG. 9-12 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the display
lock.
FIG. 13-14 shows an internal battery in perspective view.
FIG. 15 shows an internal structure of a communication in
perspective view, where all parts are removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect the battery lock according to the
invention will be described with reference to a hand portable
phone, preferably a cellular/mobile phone. A preferred embodiment
of this phone is shown in FIG. 1 and 2, where a cellular/mobile
phone is shown in perspective. As will be seen, the phone is
provided with a front cover 2 having a window frame 3 encircling
the protection window of the display assembly 1. The
cellular/mobile phone comprises a user interface having an on/off
button 4, a keypad 7, a battery 14 (shown in FIG. 4), a display/LCD
1, an ear-piece 21 and a microphone 22 (not shown). In FIG. 2 the
phone is shown from another perspective having back cover 13. There
is also shown in FIG. 2 a release device 23 for releasing the back
cover 13 from the rest of the phone, and a horseshoe shaped edge
12. The horseshoe shaped recess 12 aims to prevent the user from
covering the internal antenna 24 (shown in FIG. 4) placed in the
upper part of the phone with his fingers. Any covering of the
antenna 24 by the user might disturb the function of the antenna
24. The horseshoe shaped recess 12 is ergonomically designed to
make the user place his fingers on it and not on the antenna part
of the back cover 13.
The keypad 7 has a first group of keys 8 as alphanumeric keys, by
means of which the user can enter a telephone number, write a text
message (SMS), write a name (associated with the phone number),
etc. Each of the twelve alphanumeric keys 8 is provided with a
figure "0" or a sign "#" or "*", respectively. In alpha mode each
key is associated with a number of letters and special signs used
in the text editing.
The keypad 7 additionally comprises a menu selection key 9, a
up/down key 10, and a cancel key 11. The functionality of the menu
selection key or NaviKey.TM. 9 depends on the state of the phone.
The NaviKey.TM. is used together with the up/down key 10, where the
selection/navigation is made by the NaviKey.TM. 9 and the scrolling
in the menus is made by the up/down key 10. The functionality of
the NaviKey.TM. 9 changes depending on the menus and its present
functionality is shown in separate fields in the display 1 just
above the NaviKey.TM. 9. The cancel key 11 is used to delete an
input or cancel the last selection and jump to another menu
level.
The menu selection key 9 is placed centrally on the front surface
of the phone between the display 1 and the group of alphanumeric
keys 8. Hereby the user will be able to control this key with his
thumb. This is the best site to place an input key requiring
precise motor movements. Many experienced phone users are used to
one-hand handling. They place the phone in the hand between the
fingertips and the palm of the hand. Hereby the thumb is free for
inputting information.
FIG. 3 schematically shows the most important parts of a preferred
embodiment of the phone/terminal, said parts being essential to the
understanding of the invention. The microphone 22 records the
user's speech, and the analogue signals formed thereby are AND
converted in an A/D converter (not shown) before the speech is
encoded in an audio part 20. The encoded speech signal is
transferred to the controller 18 (physical layer processor), which
e.g. supports the GSM terminal software. The controller 18 also
forms the interface to the peripheral units of the apparatus,
including RAM and ROM memories 17a and 17b, a SIM card 16, the
display 1 and the keypad 7 (from FIG. 1) as well as data, power
supply, etc. The controller 18 communicates with the
transmitter/receiver circuit 19. The audio part 20 speech-decodes
the signal, which is transferred from the controller 18 to the
earpiece 21 via a D/A converter (not shown).
The preferred embodiment of the phone of the invention is adapted
for use in connection with the GSM network, but, of course, the
invention may also be applied in connection with other phone
networks. It could be cellular networks, various forms of cordless
phone systems or in dual band phones accessing sets of these
systems/networks.
The controller 18 is connected to the user interface. Thus, it is
the controller 18, which monitors the activity in the phone and
controls the display 1 in response thereto.
Therefore, it is the controller 18, which detects the occurrence of
a state change event and changes the state of the phone and thus
the display text. The user may cause a state change event, when
he/she activates the keypad 7 including the menu selection key or
keys 9, and these type of events are called entry events or user
events. However, the network communicating with the phone may also
cause a state change event. These type of events and other events
beyond the user's control are called non-user events. Non user
events comprise status change during call set-up, change in battery
voltage, change in antenna conditions, message on reception of SMS,
etc.
An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to
FIGS. 4 to 15 showing the various features of a battery lock. In
the shown embodiment the battery lock will be holding an internal
battery for a communication unit in operative position.
In FIG. 4 is the removable back cover 13 (shown in FIG. 1 and 2)
removed and the battery 14 is visible together with a part of a
battery lock 30. In this view is only a part of the battery lock 30
visible. There is also a SIM card reader 32 present that is only
accessible when the battery 14 is removed. In FIG. 5 is the battery
14 removed and the battery compartment 33 is visible. The battery
compartment 33 is provided with protrusions 34 in one end that
projects into corresponding recesses 35 (shown in FIG. 4) on the
battery 14 to hold the battery 14 in the operating position in the
battery compartment 33. In the other end of the battery compartment
33 is the battery lock 30 release mounted. The battery lock 30 is
provided with taps 36 that projects into to another set of
corresponding recesses 37 on the battery 14 holding the battery 14
in operating position in the battery compartment 33.
In FIG. 5-8 the battery 14 is removed from the battery compartment
33 to better describe the battery lock 30 and in FIG. 9-12 the
battery lock 30 is shown separately. The battery lock 30 comprises
a middle part 40 with a protrusion 41, two holes 42 and handles 43.
The handles 43 have flanges 44 on the upper side to increase the
friction when activated, and curved surfaces 45, on the other side
or inner side of the handles 43, to enable a smooth motion when
moved over a corresponding curved surface 47 (not shown) on battery
compartment 33. The handles 43 are also provided with slots 46
(shown in FIG. 11) that snaps over corresponding protrusions (not
shown) on the battery compartment 33 to firmly hold the battery
lock 30 in operating position, when the battery lock 30 is mounted
in the battery compartment 33.
The battery lock 30 is pivotally mounted on two pivots 38
projecting from one of the walls (not shown) in the battery
compartment 33. When the battery lock 30 is mounted on the battery
compartment 33 the slots 46 are snapped over the corresponding
protrusions (not shown) on the battery compartment 33 and thereby
holding the battery lock 30 in an operating position.
The battery 14 is removed from the battery compartment 33 by
pressing the handles 43 of the battery lock 30 outwards. By
pressing the handles 43 outwards the protrusion part 41 of the
battery lock 30 are levered and thereby also the battery 14. The
handles 43 further removes the taps 36 out of the recesses 37 and
the battery 14 is released and free to be taken away by hand.
When the handles 43 are pressed outwards, the outer parts of the
battery lock 30 rotates around the two pivots in the battery
compartment 33. The handles 43 rotate smoothly on its inner curve
45 along curves 47 on the battery compartment. To make it easier
for a user to press the handles 43 the battery compartment 33 is
provided with recesses 48. The battery compartment 33 is also
provided with portions 49 that continue at the end of the handles
43 to perform a smooth continuous curve from the handles 43 to the
battery compartment 33. The portions 49 reduces any risk for
unintentionally lifting the end of the handles 43 and thereby
removing the battery lock 30 from its operating and functioning
position. In FIG. 9 is also shown that the handles 43 is provided
with a curved surface 50 that makes it easier to get a grip of the
handles 43 when aiming to press the handles 43 outwards. This
curved surface 50 interacts with the recess 48 of the battery
compartment 33.
In FIG. 13-14 the battery 14 is shown when it is removed from the
battery compartment 33. The battery 14 is as earlier mentioned
provided with recesses or slots 35, 37 that interacts with
protrusions and taps 34, 36 to hold the battery 14 in the battery
compartment 33. These slots and protrusions in combination prevents
the battery 14 being removed from the battery compartment 33 by any
other way than by releasing the battery lock 30.
In FIG. 15 an internal structure of a phone is shown where almost
all parts are removed. The battery compartment 33 forms a part of
the internal structure.
The invention is not limited to the above-described examples or to
the drawings showing examples of an embodiment, but can be varied
within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *